Plug and socket contact



B. RAETTIG. PLUG AND SOCKET CONTACT.

V APPLICAITION HLED SEPT. 17, 1921.

Patented May 30, 1922.

u N. N. 10000 0000' 0000" M w a [Til-ll Jnrentar BRUNO BAETTIG, 0FCOLOGIIE-LINDENTHAL, GERMANY.

PLUG AND SOCKET CONTACT.

Application filed September 17, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRUNO RAETTIG, residing at'Bachemerstr. 31,Cologne-Lindenthal, Germany, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Plug and Socket Contacts, (for which I have filed anapplication in Germany July 15th, 1919,) of which the following is. aspecification.

This invention relates more particularly to plug and socket contacts forelectric currents of high intensity, as required for power connections,which contacts even when new,

and particularly after wear, usually do not fit accurately andfrequently form faulty connections. In order to avoid this difliculty ithas been suggested to mount at least one contact so that it is capableof angular adjustment.

In a flat plug and socket contact according to the invention either theplug or the socket, or both of them are capable, not only of angularadjustment, but also of adjustment or movement suflicient to bring thetwo contacts in proper-parallel relation, for instance one contact atleast is capable of adjustment or movement in a plane perpendicular tothe flat contact faces, so that the two contacts can be broughtautomatically into correct relative position to bring the contactsurfaces closely together, in other words so that the plug and thesocket, which is usually springy, can fit accurately one in the otherwith their contact surfaces in intimate contact over their whole length.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are sectional elevations of one form of plug and socketcontact according to the invention, at right angles to one another andonly part of theplug contact being shown and in position ready to enterthe socket contact.

Figures 3 and 1 are sectional elevations of another form, the sectionsalso being taken at right angles to one another. In both of these formsthe socket contact is adjustable.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional elevations of an adjustable plug contactthe sections being taken at right angles to one another.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a contactcarrier 7), is secured to the insulater a, by a screw 0. A spring socketcontact d is freely mounted on the carrier b. A terminal 6 has a screwthreaded stem n which is screwed into the socket d and is riveted overso that the socket Specification of Letters Patent.

the sections being taken I Patented May 30, 1922. Serial 1%. 561,422.

rier b, and also of lateral or tilting movement so that the springsocket contact d can move in a plane perpendicular to its flat contactsurfaces.

Consequently when a plug contact 8 is inserted, if the spring contactsocket be not in the correct relative position, the socket is moved intothe proper position and the contact surfaces of" the plug and socketmake proper intimatecontact.

The opening p in the insulator is of such shape and size as to preventexcessive movement of the socket d.

In the form shown in Figures 3 and 4 the spring contacts (1 of thesocket are riveted on a block 9 which is pivotally mounted on screws 11which are supported in holes 7* in carriers h, secured to the insulatora by bolts 0. The block 9 is extended to form the terminal g.

The holes 7 are large enough to allow for ample play for the screws 2',and there is ample clearance for the socket contact d in the opening 1)inthe insulator, to allow the spring socket contact d to tilt or movel.ater-- ally and thereby to adjust itself to the plug 8, when insertedtherein, to ensure that the flat contact surfaces thereof engageintimately and correctly with those of the spring socket contact (1.

Instead of the socket contact being adjustable as above described, or inaddition thereto, the plug contact may be adjustably mounted. Anadjustably mounted plug is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The plug contact Zhas a cylindrical collar 8 and a stem m of rectangular cross section. I

The stem m is mounted in an opening it in the insulator is which is alsoof rectangular cross-section but large enough to permit of limitedangular and lateral movement of the plug contact Z, suflicient to allowit to adjust itself 'efiectively as regards inclination and angularposition to the contact socket.

In the form according to Figures 1 and 2 the hole 0 in the carrier b maybe substituted by a slit arranged lengthwise in the carrierbranch andbeing open at the end of the branch. Inthis case both the socket (l andthe plug contact a is advantageously arranged crosswise to the positionrepresented in Figures 1 and 2. In a such form of the device the socket(Z with his terminal 0 may be made in one piece as this piece may beinserted in the slit of the carrier from the open side of this slit. Theinsertion must take place before introducing the carrier in theinsulator.

I claim:

1. In an electrical connector, a contact member, an insulating supportfor said contact member formed with an opening to permit of limitedangular movement of said contact in said support, an L-shaped carriersupported within said opening with one of its arms disposed transverselyto the axis of said opening, said arm being apertured, a terminal memberformed with a neck screwthreadedly engaging said contact, said neckpassing loosely through said aperture for dis placeably supporting saidcontact member.

52. In an electrical connector, a contact member, an insulating supportformed with an opening for permitting a limited angular movement of saidcontact, an L-shaped carrier, one arm of said carrier being disposedwithin said opening and secured therein, the other arm of saidcarrier-being disposed transversely to the axis of said opening, saidlast mentioned carrier arm being apertured, a terminal member formedwith a reduced neck portion, means disengageably securing said terminalmember to said contact member, said' terminal member loosely engagingsaid aperture with its reduced neck portion for displaceably supportingsaid contact member.

3. In an electrical connection a. spring socket contact adapted toreceive a flat plug contact,"an insulating support for and having anopening to receive said socket contact, a carrier secured to saidsupport and provided with an aperture, a socket-terminal member formedwith a neck portion loosely engaging said aperture and providing a loosepivotal connection between said socket contact and carrier adapted topermit of lim- 'ited inclination of the socket contact in a planeperpendicular to the contact surfaces thereof. I

4. An electrical connection comprising a spring socket contact adaptedto receive a flat plug contact, an insulating support formed with anopenlng to receive said socket contact with sufficient play to permit oflimited rotation and inclination thereof in a plane perpendicular to thecontact surfaces of said socket, an apertured carrier secured to saidinsulating support and a terminal having a stem rigidly secured to saidsocket, said stem passing freely through the aperture in said carrier.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

i BRUNO RAETTIG.

Witnesses:

J. KEMPF, M. HOLMHEID.

